The three locos are taking up position on the rear of the Westport - Lyttelton coal train on the adjacent track to bank it through the 8500 metre tunnel to Arthurs Pass, 737 metres above sea level.
See the previous picture for the 'train engines' and more details of the workings.
The arrow on the side of the hopper says in full 'this way to unload'.
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5287 and 5212 plus the yard staff at Arthurs Pass.
The working is one of the 2500 ton coal trains that run coast to coast from Westport to Lyttleton 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the high grade coal being exported to far eastern countries. Sadly an explosion in one of the mines near Greymouth killed 29 miners late in 2010.
Arthurs Pass is the highest point on the line, 737 metres above sea level. The gradient through the tunnel is 1 in 33, so it takes five locos to do the job. Banking engines have bodyside ducting to divert exhaust gasses down to track level, therby preventing them from entering the drivers cab (the second loco has this modification, 5287 doesn't). After a train has passed through the tunnel, it is closed for 20 minutes while fresh air is pumped in.
This section of the line was electrified until 1997 when diesels took over due to the high cost of replacing the life expired equipment.
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The two locos leave their ballast train in Seddon yard after a long journey up the coast from Christchurch before heading light engine to Picton depot at the far north of the south island.
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It doesn't get much better than this......
A pair of first generation diesels working hard uphill, an open coach for those on board to best appreciate the experience, and a spectacular environment.
The daily TranzAlpine express approaches Cass on its coast to coast journey from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthurs Pass 737 metres above sea level, with 4801 and 5454 doing the honours up front.
Later that day driver Warren would give me a cab ride on the return journey - complete with a faxed authorisation for Claire and I which he arranged during his lunch break........
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We're driving down highway 1 which is arrow straight most of the way from Christchurch to Dunedin.
There's a train coming, stop the car! The family knows the drill, a quick park-up, followed by a scramble across the line (no fences in NZ).
DFT7077 heads for Christchurch with a mixed freight from Invercargill, nice weather in the middle of winter.
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